Protection device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a protection device with a plate made of hard material, in particular for insertion into bulletproof vests and the like, a cap, which catches a projectile ricocheting from the plate, being arranged over the plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a protection device as used in particular for bulletproof vests.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Bulletproof vests are known, which have pockets into which, for protection against hard-core ammunition, a protective plate made of ceramic material can be inserted. On account of its great hardness, the ceramic material is destroyed when struck by hard-core ammunition, the ceramic material being shattered, partly pulverized and catapulted away. In this connection, there is a danger that the projectile will reemerge with ceramic fragments. This effect can result in serious injuries, possibly with a fatal outcome, for bystanders and also for the wearer of the bulletproof vest. Flat angles of impact are especially problematic.

[0003] Thus, an object of the present invention is to design such a protection device in such a manner that the risk of injury caused by the projectile ricocheting is considerably reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This is achieved in the invention by a cap arranged over the ceramic plate which is penetrated by a striking projectile, but the projectile, when it ricochets from the ceramic plate, is caught together with ceramic fragments by the cap, so that there is no risk of injury to bystanders. The catching action of the cap is effective in particular in the case of flat angles of impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention is described in greater detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a ceramic plate with a cap,

[0007]FIG. 2 shows a modified embodiment of the structure of the ceramic plate and cap,

[0008]FIG. 3 shows a diagram of what happens when a projectile strikes the ceramic plate, and

[0009]FIG. 4 shows another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010]FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically in section a ceramic plate 1 for protection against hard-core ammunition, which is applied by adhesive bonding to a flat piece or a backing ply 2 made of fiber composite material, which is arranged on the side facing the wearer. Arranged over the ceramic plate 1 on the impact side is a cap 3 which consists of, for example, a fiber composite material with high-performance fibers.

[0011] The cap 3 can be imparted such a shape by means of a shaping procedure that it takes up a predetermined spacing from the ceramic plate 1 without support by spacers, while the edges 3′ of the cap are connected firmly to the ceramic plate 1 by, for example, adhesive bonding.

[0012] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, spacers 4 are arranged between the material of the cap 3 and the ceramic plate 1, which ensure that a spacing is maintained if this is required by the cap material.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically what happens when a hard-core projectile strikes in the direction of the arrow A, the projectile penetrating the cap 3 and striking the ceramic plate 1 which shatters in the region of the point of impact, while the backing ply 2 is deformed. The ceramic fragments produced by the impact are indicated by reference number 5. The projectile, which strikes the ceramic plate 1 at an angle, is deflected from the ceramic plate 1 in the direction of the arrow B. Both the ceramic fragments 5 and the projectile ricocheting from the ceramic plate 1 are caught by the cap 3, so that there is no risk of injury to bystanders. The catching of the projectile is shown diagrammatically by a bulging of the cap in the region of the arrow C which indicates the deflection direction of the projectile on the cap 3.

[0014] The cap 3 consists of a preferably deformable material which, although it can be penetrated easily by a striking projectile, nevertheless has such strength that the projectile ricocheting from the ceramic plate is caught or at least very strongly braked while deformation of the cap material takes place. A suitable material consists of fiber composite material made in particular of high-performance fibers such as aramid fibers. It is also possible to make the cap 3 from light metal. A light but nevertheless strong material is preferably provided for the cap 3, in order that the structure does not have too great a weight and small material thicknesses can be used.

[0015] If spacers 4 are provided, these preferably consist of a light voluminous material which merely maintains a sufficient spacing between the material of the cap 3 and the ceramic plate 1, so that the cap 3 cannot be pressed in if, for example, pressure is exerted on the cap 3 by hand.

[0016] Instead of individual spacers 4, a filling 6 made of foam material can be provided between the cap 3 and the ceramic plate 1, as indicated in FIG. 2. Such a filling 6 of the cap 3 with foam material serves on the one hand to maintain a sufficient spacing between the cap 3 and the ceramic plate 1 and on the other hand as additional protection from fragments.

[0017] As FIG. 2 shows, a ply 7 made of high-tensile fibers, for example aramid fibers, which forms additional protection from fragments and prevents the ceramic plate from shattering, is preferably provided on the impact side of the ceramic plate 1, for example by adhesive bonding.

[0018] The structure consisting of the ceramic plate 1 and the cap 3 is expediently arranged in a cover which encloses the entire structure and facilitates handling of the protection device and insertion into a pocket on a bulletproof vest. This cover 6 can consist of nylon cloth.

[0019] In FIG. 2, the cap 3 is shown with a slightly greater spacing from the ceramic plate 1 on the upper side. Such an embodiment can be provided as, for example, chest protection, if in particular a projectile striking at an angle from below is to be caught, in order that it does not ricochet in the direction of the chin of the wearer of the bulletproof vest. In this connection, the cap 3 can also be reinforced in the region in which a particular catching action is to be achieved, as indicated at 8 in FIG. 2 by an additional material layer.

[0020] The cap 3 can be formed in such a manner from, for example, light metal, which can also be provided with a coating made of fiber composite material, that it can be mounted subsequently on commercially available protective plates 1. As a result, it is possible to retrofit existing ceramic plates 1.

[0021]FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of a structure with a fragment cap 3 which, in this exemplary embodiment, is mounted on the ceramic plate 1 via angled edges 9. In a similar manner, webs 9, which support a plate-shaped cap material 3, could be applied to the plate 1 by, for example, adhesive bonding.

[0022] In a practical embodiment, the cap 3 consists of a high-tensile fiber laminate, for example para-aramid fiber or high-tensile polyethylene fibers. Glass fibers can also be used. These high-tensile fibers in the form of a fabric or layers of fibers or filaments arranged at right-angles are pressed with synthetic resin such that a dimensionally stable cap results which can be firmly connected to the ceramic plate 1, for example, by adhesive bonding along the edges. In spite of the dimensional stability of the cap 3, spacers 4 in the form of rubber elements can be provided, which have a bonding sheet for attachment.

[0023] The space between the cap 3 and the ceramic plate 1 should correspond to the respective caliber or projectile diameter, that is between about 5 and 8 mm.

[0024] The arrangement described can be used not only as an insert for bulletproof vests and similar projectile-stopping garments but also for, for example, armoring for vehicles and the like, in which ceramic plates or similar hard inserts are used for protection against hard-core ammunition. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protection device comprising a plate made of hard material, for insertion into bulletproof vests, characterized in that a cap which catches a projectile and splinters ricocheting from the plate is arranged over the plate.
 2. The protection device according to claim 1 , the material of the cap being shapable and designed in such a manner that the cap maintains a spacing from the plate after being mounted on the plate.
 3. The protection device according to claim 1 , further comprising spacers arranged between the cap and the plate.
 4. The protection device according to claim 2 , further comprising spacers arranged between the cap and the plate.
 5. The protection device according to claim 3 , further comprising a foam filling provided between the cap and the plate.
 6. The protection device according to claim 4 , further comprising a foam filling provided between the cap and the plate.
 7. The protection device according to claim 1 , wherein a ply made of high-tensile fibers is applied to an impact side of the plate which comprises ceramic material.
 8. The protection device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap is formed from fiber composite material.
 9. The protection device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap is formed from light metal. 